SAINTS starlet Lloyd Isgrove hopes his first senior goal for the club will help force his way into Mauricio Pochettino’s Premier League plans.

Isgrove netted the last goal in Saturday’s impressive comeback 3-1 win over Turkish giants Besiktas as Saints rounded off their Austrian tour in style.

The winger, 20, said: “I am really happy. I have been working really hard to get a goal and waiting a long time for one.

“I have just got to keep working hard on the training ground and to keep getting match time.

“Hopefully the gaffer keeps picking me and I will keep doing what I am doing to pushing on into the team.

“I have played four games in pre-season and they were not easy.”

Academy product Isgrove, below, has won a lot of admirers for his performances in Austria and during Saints’ previous training camp in Spain.

Teenage right back Calum Chambers also appears to have impressed Pochettino and watching chairman Nicola Cortese.

Speaking about his progress, Welsh under-21 international Isgrove, who recently penned a new contract at St Mary’s, said: “I think I have come a long way since Christmas.

“I had injuries last year but the physio has helped me so I am a lot stronger and fitter now. I am playing games, which is all I have wanted to do since I came to the club.

“I was really happy to sign a new contract, so to score a goal was kind of a reward for it.”

Saints looked destined to suffer their second defeat in the space of four days after Muhammed Demirci gave Besiktas the lead with a 30-yard wonder strike.

Rickie Lambert equalised before Emmanuel Mayuka and Isgrove completed the comeback with their first goals in Saints colours.

Isgrove believes the double training sessions being laid on by Pochettino and his backroom staff in heat of up to 39 degrees paid dividends.

He added: “I think our fitness came through in the end. They were getting tired and it showed.”

Saints fly back to Hampshire today before digging out their passports again for next Saturday’s friendly in Spain against La Liga side Celta Vigo.

Their pre-season preparations are completed by a home game with Real Sociedad on Saturday, August 10 before travelling to West Brom for their Premier League opener a week later.